Traditional Dress

This photo was taken at a local fundraising dinner event in Okakarara, Namibia on Aug 21, 2009. I wore a friends traditional Herero dress and am photographed with a fellow teacher. It was a great honor to be invited to the event with my other staff members and I wanted to show my respects by dressing as the Herero do. The hat is significant because it is meant to resemble the horns of a cow, and the dress has long flowing petticoats which make a woman look as though she is in a traditional prairie or "colonial" dress. Now, the Herero, who were so affected by German colonializm in Namibia, are embracing their history, hardships and love of cattle, in their dress.